Pilgrim’s Pride Immigration Raid Ironies

Apr 17th, 2008 | Immigration | Comments Off

Surely, I’m not the only person who sees the irony between this, this, and this.

At least, I hope not…

Popularity: 27% [?]

Mexican Citizens Take Illegal Immigration Debate Into Their Own Hands…Close Down Bridge…

May 1st, 2006 | Immigration, Uncategorized | No Comments

The border city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, is seeing it’s fair share of political action today.  According to news sources out of the RGV’s television outlets, citizens of this border city have created a human barrier along the Mexican side of the International Bridge across from Hidalgo, Texas.  They are barring any U.S. citizen from entering Mexico.  Latino ethnicity or not. 

They are doing this in protest of the illegal immigration debate going on in Washington D.C., and reports are saying that these citizens are planning on staying through the rest of tonight making sure there actions are heard loud and clear.  I’m not sure how much of an impact this will make to anyone north of Falfurrias in South Texas, but for local people, citizens and tourists alike, this makes a major dent in anyone’s plans to go across the border for cheaper priced liquor, or prescription drugs.  Prices of which are normally half as much as those sold by their U.S. counterparts. 

For the TV report please visit http://www.newschannel5.tv/ 

KRGV also has additional stories about local marches and protests held in the Rio Grande Valley. 

Popularity: 7% [?]

Dallas’ Response to “Day Without Immigrants”

May 1st, 2006 | Immigration | 1 Comment

So far, the Dallas Business Journal has up the one of the better pieces on today’s “Day Without Immigrants,” protest. Though it was related mainly to the food service (it sounds like terrible “institutional racism,” but I guess it is a fair area of commerce to focus on, given the number of Hispanics and Latinos employed in food service in Dallas) industry’s response in the city, it showed just how differently some businesses handled the day:

Locally, employers in the restaurant community handled the day differently, but those who actively “communicated” with Hispanic employees said that there have been few or no disruptions to their operations.

Some restaurateurs planned early on to make accommodations for employees who wanted to show their support for immigration rights. Other employers asked workers to sign documents that said today’s no-shows would be fired, according to restaurant owners.

Paging 1st Amendment Lawyers: Is that not a violation of one’s constitutional rights? It just seems terrible to ask workers to sign a document saying that if they didn’t show today, they’d be fired. Terrible!

On the other hand, there were some good things going on:

Still others are showing their support in creative ways. Some Hispanic restaurant operators are closing for half the day. In Uptown Dallas, Mattito’s Tex Mex restaurant is giving free meals to Hispanic customers and employees.

Tom Landis, president of Dallas-based Nodak Restaurant Group which has Pizza Patrón and Texadelphia franchisees, said that he gave notice to Pizza Patrón customers — mainly Hispanic — that his four area stores would be closed on May 1.

Landis figured that, today, many Hispanic-oriented shopping centers where Pizza Patrons are located would be deserted.

“We wanted to align ourselves with our Hispanic customers,” he said.

He decided to keep his Texadelphia stores open since they expected brisk catering business today. These stores were closed during the April 11 rally in downtown Dallas.

For Landis, communication was key to smooth business operations.

I’ve never been to any of those places, but you can bet that, next time I’m in Dallas and looking for a place to eat, I’m going to track one down. I’m sure the purchase of one meal won’t do much to help their business, but it would show I support the fact that they handled things in a fair manner.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Protests In Tyler

Apr 10th, 2006 | Immigration | No Comments

Media accounts say more than 1,000 people marched and attended a rally in Downtown Tyler today to oppose controversial changes in immigration laws. Via KLTV:

In Tyler this morning, more than a thousand people attended a rally in downtown to show they are united and a vital part of East Texas. Many of those people were wearing white, which stands for peace. Many of the demonstrators also waved American and Mexican flags.

The organizer of the event, Longview Attorney Jose Sanchez, has been speaking for most of the demonstration. Sanchez talked about the importance of banding together and standing up for the rights of illegal immigrants.

He also spoke to the crowd about the responsibility immigrants have once they get to this country, such as learning the language, making sure that children get an education and to volunteer in the community.

He says that will send a message to America that immigrants are here to stay. The rally included music, chanting, poems and guests speakers. State representative Roberto Alonzo from Dallas.

The majority of the people in the crowd missed work or school to take part in the event.

Why it was necessary for KLTV to point out that last fact about people missing work and school is beyond me, unless it was to paint the marchers in a bad light. The manner in which it was mentioned seems it was more for that reason than for simply saying “these people are so dedicated, they missed work and school.” Anyway, more coverage as the other two Tyler TV stations and the Tyler Morning Telgraph get any coverage up (if they do…).

Popularity: 7% [?]

African American Leaders In Dallas Will Join Protest Marches

Apr 6th, 2006 | Immigration | No Comments

African American community leaders announced yesterday that they will join in an immigration rally planned to be held in Dallas Sunday.

State Sen. Royce West (R-Dallas) summed up the reasons why during a news conference:

“We cannot support legislation that criminalizes undocumented people or builds a wall to divide countries,” said state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas. “They come to this country just to find a better place to live and support themselves and their families.”

The march will start at 1 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral and end at Dallas City Hall. Another march is being held in Fort Worth and will move from the Tarrant County Courthouse to the federal courthouse in Fort Worth.

Popularity: 4% [?]